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Work LocationIn-person, BEIJING, CHINA

Expected duration6 months

Duties and ResponsibilitiesOrg. Setting and Reporting The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty. The UN-Habitat appointed an UN-Habitat Programme Manager (HPM) for China in 2009. On 31 Oct 2025, UN-Habitat and China signed the Host Country Agreement. The Ministry of Housing and Urban and Rural Development (MoHURD) is the focal point of UN-Habitat in China. UN-Habitat also collaborates with other central government agencies, including the Ministry of National Resources and the National Development and Reform Commission, as with various local municipal governments, such as Wuhan, Xuzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai and Shenzhen. UN-Habitat China conducts various technical cooperation projects in China, such as the People Oriented Urban Public Space Programme (PO-UPS) the Sustainable Urban Planning Programme for China (SUPP), the UN-Habitat China Future Cities Council Programme (CFCC) and the Waste Wise Cities Programme (WWC). It also works on rural revitalization, green and sustainable urban development, water and sanitation, climate change issues, and capacity building. The two interns report to Senior Advisor and Country Manager of UN-Habitat China respectively. Responsibilities

  • Assist in the preparation of draft concept papers, background documents, position papers;
  • Assist in the development of project concept notes/project briefs and project documents for resource mobilization;
  • Search for funding calls for expression of interest;
  • Assist with communication and information management, establishing connections between county-level and regional partners and internal colleagues, etc.;
  • Assist with the management of websites and drafting of Webstory;
  • Assist in the preparation, implementation and follow-up of meetings and forums,
  • Assist in the administration, budgeting and financial management aspects of programme management including but not limited to financial monitoring, review and reporting, project start-up and closure, human resources, procurement and assets, workshops, and liaison with regional office;
  • Undertake other assignments as required for the development and implementation of the work programmes of China Office
  • Assist with the layout and design of technical materials

Qualifications/special skillsApplicants must at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements: a. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent), c. Have graduated with Bachelor's degree, Masters, PhD or equivalent. Be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office Suite). Have demonstrated a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter. Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. Preferred areas of study: 4th Year Undergraduate and/or Graduate students are preferred. Studies in Urban Sustainable Development, Urban Planning and Design, Urban Geography, Urban Environment, Urban Landscaping, Climate Change, Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Architecture and related. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Good research skills and relevant experience in the field of urban planning and design, or smart city development are desirable. Knowledge in using IT tools like InDesign and Photoshop is desirable.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Chinese is desirable. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Additional InformationDo you have any previous UN internship experience? If yes, please indicate the UN entity and the specific dates.

Intern Specific textInterns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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